I've searched a bit on this topic. Seems 50/50 from what i've read. However, it's been a couple years since the last good post I saw and thought it'd be good to bring up this topic again.

The Car: 2000 Civic Si - hella clean
Engine: STOCK b16a2
Contraints: Must remain N/A. I've been there, done that, with turbos and it just isn't reliable enough for me. Don't get me wrong, I love turbo's, but I need dependability since I have a career now and I'm not in high school/college anymore. Car will be used for track/DD.

The problem: the b16a2 just doesn't cut it power-wise for me. I drive the car on the streets and plan to track the car as well. It's just so too slow for me now-adays and it's time to do something about it.

The Question: Should I stick with the b16a2 and rebuild it with higher compression pistons, cams, and possibly some head work, or just go with an OEM JDM B18C-R (not sure if I'd go 96 spec or 98 spec). I could get a 96 spec ITR swap for $3600 from N1concepts (local shop near me). If I keep the B16a2, I for sure want an LSD in the tranny, so this should be added to the cost.

Keep this in mind though, if I stick with the b16a2, the money savings must be worth it to not go for the b18c-r. Also keep in mind, if I go with the b16a2, I will add a LSD to the tranny which will be an added factor to keeping the b16a2.

Also, I'd sell my b16a2 swap if i went b18c-r. This would reduce my cost at the end of doing the itr swap.

I know that the k20a2 swap could be done for about $7k from R-Crew. If I get to about $5k at the end of my build/swap, I may just go for the k20a2. But I know this is a whole 'nother ball park and question in itself.

I plan to keep this car forever (it's my 3rd, i love Si's). I was thinking that keeping the b16a2 may make the car more rare/valuable if it's got maching vin #'s, if I ever took it to a japanese car show 20 years down the road. But that depends if the car will ever be a classic i suppose.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

The car:

 

Well, it seems like physical emissions isn't an issue or a concern for you but what about general legality? I just had a referee appointment yesterday and I got the current final word on using JDM motors and if staying legal on paper is a concern then a JDM GSR motor is out of the question for you.

***Current final word...may change later***

 

Luckily I have my car registered in a county where there is no smog, so smog is not a concern for me. I wouldn't go JDM GSR though, I'd go JDM ITR. Legality is a concern, but only getting the hood popped if I got pulled over... which would suck. But this is not a big enough concern to stop me from doing a swap.

 

I'd go for a b18c. You could probably find a long mileage and in good condition one local. I would trust a Honda factory built motor much more than a rebuilt one. A rebuilt motor that is not built correctly will not have a very long life. I think you should look around for a b18c locally and pick it up.

 

Yeah I was just thinking about if I do the rebuild then I gotta mess with tuning. I like the idea of plug and play. Reliability is huge since it needs to be capable of being my DD.

Thanks man

 

Just re-build. At build it up. That is really reliable. And around the same $ as a motor swap.

 

did u ever consider a h22 swap. i know what ya mean by reliability/dd. i have a boosted em1 and im on my second rebuild. allready after just cracking a sleeve i was considering a h22 swap. since you can get them pretty cheap and do minor motor work to it. be a nice quick n/a coupe.

 

I'd sell the B16 and get a Type R.

 

Yeah man, my first EM1 was boosted. It was so sweet when it was running right. But like I said, I gotta get my *** to work every morning w/o having the car crap out on me in rush our Bay Area traffic.

I've been in this a while, and I've never become fond of the h22. I know they're good bang for the buck swaps, but I like the pure high-reving b16/18 series. They've got the rod/stroke ration in their favors too and have better sleeves then the H-series. So basically, I am not considering a h-series swap

Thanks again for the input.

 

There's no need to tune a car just because you rebuild the motor. But if the person who builds the motor doesn't do it right, it won't last long at all.

 

If I rebuilt it, I'd be using higher compression pistons and more aggressive cams which would need to be tuned to run properly. If I did an OEM spec re-build then I would just use the stock ECU.

 

I've never been a fan of all motor on Hondas. My buddy had a turbo 99si and it got stolen. He's building a hatch now. All motor type r and he still thinks it lacks the power he wants. You can do a conservative turbo setup with a solid tune and run 250whp every day for years to come. It's all in the tune and how you build it. I would either keep it stock or boost it. All motor ends up costing a shitload of money and only brings disappointment to most people...

 

In my OPINION, everything depends on what you are trying to accomplish. You stated that you want to take this to the track? that ambition alone can have many many options but hey, best of luck.

Check this out, Ive seen this motor pass OEM ITRs like they are standing still. Best of wishes!
http://www.evasivemotorsports.com/Me...Code=JS_ENGINE

 

dude where do u live in the area!? i never see any MR's out here.. i always see EBP's... but yea i say keep the b16 lol come on man wheres the b16 love? i was thinking the same thing before for my FBP but im thinking of boosting the b16 instead... honestly tho all motor i think ur better off with a itr but u already have a good solid motor u can build and u know that u wont come across any problems.. just my 2 cents

 

I live in SF. Yeah it's pretty rare to see a MR Si, let alone an Si in general. I had a FBP, but it was stolen last year The b16 is a good motor, and I have love for it, but it just doesn't cut it anymore. If you turbo your b16, you'll love it man. But I'll probably end up going b18c-r at this point. I just hope it meets my expectations. That motor from evasive looks knwarly man. It's quite a penny, but I bet it's a beast.

 

id do an upgrade of some kind. b18c, k series if you got some coin

 

I'm in the exact same boat lol just picked up a MR '00 SI about 2 weeks ago....and since you like the higher compression and shorter stroke of a b series but bigger h22 power....why not go f20b? lsd tranny with almost the same gear ratios of a b series and all has dual valve springs bigger intake mani, bigger injectors, bigger throttle body and bigger cams than an h22....yes there is a lack of following for bottom end parts but...idk i thinks thats the wAy im going but my question is a/c can it be done on an h series into an ek?

 

Nice rims! Haha! Waddup man! If you swap it, whatcha gonna do with B16A2?

 

If you want more stroke go with Type-R

 

if you stay with b16 boost it, if you want all motor get a 1.8 or better

 

Have you thought about a ctr? That is always another choice

 

Woops, sorry for laggin on responses. But Gino, I'd be selling the B16a2 swap

I want more torque for sure, either by means of stroke or bore, or both, but the longer stroke of the b18C-R would do just fine. I was good to go until I found out about the new law about JDM motors not being legal, unless I got the CTR swap, which I'm not really considering, though maybe I should now. Shoot, maybe I should just keep saving for the k20a2 swap... Hella money though.